If you or someone you know is in danger of harming themselves or someone else, IMMEDIATELY call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. If you are on a PPCC campus, call Campus Police at 502-2900.

Our Confidentiality Statement

All records in the Counseling Center are personal and confidential. This information can only be released outside the center with your written consent. Privacy of your records and anonymity extends to situations where a client is referred to the Counseling Center by a faculty member, administrator or friend. Except under certain circumstances (listed below), no parent, academic dean, instructor or future employer will know of a student's use of the Counseling Center.

Mental Health Counseling records are not a part of the educational record. We keep separate records from other administrative documents kept on campus and notations about counseling are NOT made on a student's official college record.

E-mail Policy

Given that E-mail is never confidential, it is our policy to limit use of E-mail for communication as much as possible.

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) has the general responsibility of regulating the practice of licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, certified school psychologists and unlicensed individuals who practice psychotherapy.The agency within this Department that has the responsibility specifically for licensed and unlicensed psychotherapists is the Colorado State Grievance Board.

Confidentiality exceptions

The Mental Health Counselor’s duty of confidentiality do not apply or is irrevocably waived in the following circumstances:

If it is suspected, or the student reports, child or elderly abuse

If action must be taken to protect the student or others from harm

If ordered by the court to testify or deliver and release records to a third person

To protect the mental health counselor in a lawsuit or grievance

Confidentiality

Mental Health Counselors are under professional standards that prohibit the disclosure of any information that students tell them during a counseling session, except by a release from the student or under specific circumstances. Exclusions may include: harm to self or others; abuse of a minor, elder or vulnerable adult; health/medical emergency; scheduling, or other circumstances required by Colorado law. Mental Health Counselors will review confidentiality and these exclusions with you.

Confidentiality and Parent Communication with the Counseling Center

The Colorado mental health code ensures confidentiality for people seeking mental health services. We are unable, therefore, to give any information about a student, including whether s/he is being seen at the Counseling Center, without the student’s written consent. This may feel frustrating to you when you are reaching out in concern for your child. Asking the student for permission for the counselor to speak with you may easily resolve this.